even to him. The erection of a national botanic garden, on a liberal scale, at Kew, and the throwing it open daily to the public, is one of the kindest provisions ever made by the legislature. It is that kind of considerate provision which a metropolitan population has a right to expect from a representative legislature; but such rights have hitherto been sadly in abeyance. The day is come when the taxation of the people is to have an application to the people's comfort; and no money has been better laid out than that which, under the able and liberal direction of the talented and pious Sir William Hooker, is to exhibit the profusion of vegetable nature from all parts of the world, daily and gratuitously to the British public. No desirable expense has been spared. Every facility is given by the Government authorities for the admission of foreign plants. Every honest and respectful inquiry is readily answered; and house after house, stove after stove, teeming with tropical wonders, is thrown open to London's wonder-loving sons. And here not only may the eye be satiated with seeing, and the lungs expanded with healthy air; but the mind gradually drawn out to habits of scientific inquiry, which shall fit it for emigration, and prepare the emigrant actively and usefully to occupy his position. No sight so useful and so exhilarating ever sought the attention of the public mind as this national exhibition of the Flora of the world at Kew.

And then follows the second and superior lesson-the sovereign sufficiency and willingness of God for the care and comfort of his people in both worlds. Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these, and there are thousands and tens of thousands of them-and they have no other end or object but the glory of God in the ample and liberal supply of his creatures' wants. The direct object of all this rich profusion is the comfort and amusement of the fallen, sinful, and transitory tenant of this earth. It is the gratifying accompaniment of his pilgrimage"Consider the lilies." The argument first drawn from their delicate forms,

and varied colouring is, "If God so clothed the grass of the field, will he not much more clothe you?" Shall created beauty be so profusely lavished on the fragile flower, and not an adequate measure of care be shown for the highest order of creation on earth's surface? A very large portion of the vegetable world is a provision for the wants of subordinate creatures. "They sow not, they reap not, nor gather into barns." Our heavenly Father feedeth them. The argument rises in interest. "Will he not much then more feed you?" It is scarcely possible to be accurately acquainted with the evervarying contrivances in nature for the supply of the lower orders of animals, without deducing a well-founded encouragement to man to trust him for all necessary supplies. "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things."

We may rise one step higher in the ascending series. Such provision, so varied, so full for that life which is but as a vapour that vanisheth away a watch in the night! What shall be the splendours of that kingdom that cannot be moved-that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness? What may not imagination picture of that city which is of pure gold, like unto clear glass, the foundation of whose walls are garnished with all manner of precious stones, and its twelve gates twelve pearls? and wherein the tree of life bears twelve manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month, and of which even the leaves are for "the healing of the nations." Richly provided with every conceivable enjoyment and comfort in our pilgrimage below, we may confidently leave the future to the same infinite benevolence. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him :" but the atoning cross has given us a wondrous measure of our heavenly Father's love both for time and eternity; and on this we may repose with confidence for the yet unknown details of everlasting happiLATIMER.

ness.

66

WE confess that we are more grieved than surprised at the secession of Mr. Noel from the Church of England. So far from agreeing with a cotemporary that Mr. Noel was regarded as a Model Pastor," and that therefore his secession might be estimated as the more significant and important, we have always considered that there were essential points in which we could have no sympathy with our brother, much as we loved and honoured him for his work's sake. There was evidently a dangerous speculativeness in his system, which manifested itself on the Irish and Corn Law questions, as well as on other occasions, and which made it less a matter of surprise that he should have come to his present important crisis.

And an important crisis indeed it is; not, we believe, as it regards others so much as Mr. Noel himself. On the first announcement of his secession, we own that our chief apprehension was that an influential nucleus would thus be formed, round which other restless and dissatisfied spirits would rally themselves, and that thus the mischief might become extensive. But, from all we hear, there is not the slightest prospect of such a movement; and indeed we must own that the uppermost impression which has been made upon our minds on looking over Mr. Noel's recently published Essay, is, that if he had wished to adopt the most effectual means for his solitary and insulated retirement from the Church of England, his publication of that work was the very best method of accom

plishing it.

We are unable at present to enter into an entire review of this Essay; we can only give our readers our impressions respecting it; and truly we are compelled to state that any thing more laboured or constrained, or inconclusive and unconvincing in argument we never remember, to have met with; and we grieye to add,

more bitter and prejudiced in spirit. We quite agree with a cotemporary that the book presents not the verdict of an impartial judge, but of a prejudiced and determined antagonist.

The reference to Scriptural authority is singularly inconclusive. As it regards the Jewish dispensation, instead of fairly looking in the face the array of passages which would prove

the existence of the union between Church and State under that polity, he chiefly dwells upon the instances in which the people are represented as evading their ecclesiastical obligations. And as it regards the evidence of the New Testament, we wonder that he should venture on such proof as the Saviour's assertion, "My kingdom is not of this world," &c., while he admits that the evidence from this quarter is chiefly "that of inference." But in such a momentous question is it satisfactory that the grand question of the responsible obligation of a government to provide for the moral and religious welfare of a country should be entirely overlooked!

Mr. Noel brings together a most fearful accumulation of charges against the Church of England. We cannot but say that we regard his representation as lamentably exaggerated. There is a manifest intention to make out a case; the direct and inevitable tendency of which, without any wilful misrepresentation, is to make the most of alleged evils. And to what different results from the same data are men led by the animus which actuates them the desire which prompts either to make the best or the worst of a case! We do not turn a deaf ear to Mr. Noel's charges. We know and we mourn over many of the evils which he adduces; but there are two considerations which forcibly present themselves to our minds: is not Mr. Noel somewhat Utopian in his expectations regarding the Church of Christ in her militant. condition; and is he not singularly unfortunate in the period which he

has chosen for his quarrel with the Church of England. With respect to the former point we have long made up our minds to the unavoidable discoveries of the imperfect and base materials which constitute the earthen vessel in which the Gospel treasure is deposited. And we are moreover satisfied that all its infirmities and imperfections are designed in the mysterious wisdom of God to make it the more abundantly manifest that the excellency of the power is of God, and not of man. True, we have bishops frowning upon the faithful preachers of Christ's Gospel: bishops lamentably forgetting the spiritual character of their high calling, and, secularized by the circumstances of their elevated positions; presenting anything but ensamples to the flock, or the nursing gentleness of primitive Scriptural episcopacy. We must be constrained to admit the justice of much that may be said regarding the present administration of church patronage; and it may be very possible to trace up much of the evils that we concede, to the union between Church and State. Most certainly we see a very great evil in the rigidity with which both Premier and Lord Chancellor confine their ecclesiastical appointments within their own political limits. What, for instance, can tell more hurtfully or unjustly, on the interests of the Irish church, than the excision from the possible range or expectation of preferment, of 1600 of the clergy, out of about 2000, because that large section is opposed to the national system of education? It were manifestly for the general interests of the church, that there should be the whole range of the church out of which to select the best men for the episcopacy that she can possibly afford. No one can justify such evil consequences of political influence. But still, amidst all these adverse circumstances, the Lord carries forward his own work, and in spite of adverse patrons, sound evangelical men get into posts of extensive usefulness; and not a single faithful minister of Christ in our day is silenced, or prevented from declaring

his message to his fellow-sinners. It would seem as if in all ages the Sovereign Ruler were pleased to present his Church to angels and to men as the bush in flames, composed of the most combustible materials, and yet not consumed, in order for the silencing of human conceit and sufficiency, and the manifestation of his own glory and honour.

Let

But we have ventured to express our conviction that Mr. Noel is Utopian in his expectations. And certainly he is very unfortunate in his references and precedents. It is impossible to attach any real importance to the Frankfort movement; and will Mr. Noel really draw our attention to Switzerland! a country indeed nominally free and republican, but presenting, nevertheless, at this moment, a more intolerant and persecuting spirit towards true religion than perhaps any other Christian country in Europe. But what is the real history of voluntary churches in our own land? Is there any existing system of church polity which can effectually guard against the admixture of evil. It may be of a different character in the voluntary churches to that which presents itself in the Church of England, but still is it not as prevalent and as disgraceful? Mr. Angel James, a champion of dissent, give his faithful testimony. Surely, Mr. Noel is not a stranger to his heartfelt lamentations over the decayed and degenerate condition of religion in the dissenting congregations. And here we are constrained to point out a lamentable proof of the unfairness with which Mr. Noel has accumulated his facts, in order to make out his case. He ventures to assert that out of the 16,000 clergy of the church there are only about 3000 who are converted characters. A bold assertion this! We have no means of refuting his assertion, but we should be truly sorry to share its responsibility. Conversion is so directly a matter between God and the soul, that it is a hazardous thing for a man to sit in judgment herein on his brother. But to say no more on this point, Mr. Noel, in contemplating the good that might be effected

by the emancipation from state trammels of the 3000 converted clergymen, is pleased to add them to the 6000 dissenting ministers throughout the land, and to bring himself to the pleasurable conviction that 9000 faithful ministers, properly disposed of, would do much to leaven the whole nation. Alas, alas! what a melancholy exhibition of the unfairness of partizanship. We know not what data Mr. Noel takes for the decision he has come to, that we have only 3000 converted clergymen; but how can he for a moment justify it to his conscience to take it for granted that all the dissenting ministers of the land are faithful preachers of the Gospel, the whole 6000, men whose character and work will be owned and accredited and blest by the Spirit of God? We never remember to have met with a more lamentable instance of the blinding and perverting influences of prejudice. Again we refer Mr. Noel to Mr. Angel James; he will not justify the rash conclusion that the whole 6000 ministers of the various dissenting bodies are faithful preachers of the Gospel. It is painful in the extreme to admit of such an impression, but really it is hard work to dismiss it, that Mr. Noel is resolved to find every thing as bad as possible in the poor Church of England, and all as it should be in the Voluntary Churches. We have no wish to rake up the evils of the latter; all that we contend for is, that evil and infirmity and mischief are inseparable from everything human. But it will answer no good end to magnify the evils of one section of Christ's Church and keep out of sight those of other parts of it. But where do they not exist ? We strongly recommend to our readers Mr. James' faithful and most lamentable testimony not only to the decay of faithful efficient Gospel preaching, but the thraldom of the dissenting ministers with their congregations, and the innumerable difficulties and hardships to which they are exposed. And will any other denominational body present a purer and healthier condition? Shall we turn to the

Wesleyans? It might seem as if their class meetings would afford a barrier against unhallowed admixtures and unworthy church membership. But is this the case? We chance to know of the disgust with which the warmest supporters of Methodism have abandoned its profession and come back to our church because of the indecent partiality with which men of dissolute lives and habits were retained in class, because they were wealthy and influential. Shall we turn to the Plymouth Brethren? How much there is that is specious and alluring in their system! How calculated to meet the longings of ardent young Christians! Who does not admire and accredit their aim at an entire abstraction from the world, and the maintenance of a universal brotherly, heavenly love? And yet their system is proving a rope of sand, and they are splitting and quarrelling in all directions.

We cannot forbear from subjoining an incident bearing on the same point, which occurred some time ago to a friend of ours.

In walking to the neighbouring town, he met an elderly gentleman with whom he entered into conversation. He found him very communicative, and in high spirits. Sir," said he, "I have long been in search of a pure Church of Christ, with whom I might connect myself for the remainder of my days. I thought I had succeeded in the town of but alas! I discovered that they were no better than a parcel of hypocrites, and I have left them. And here I am come, sir, to find just what I want. Oh, such a blessed little company of true believers, sir! I have bought a bit of ground and am going to build a house, and here I hope to pass my remaining days in peace and comfort!" Sometime after they met again. Mr. 's countenance was melancholy and dejected. "Good

morning, sir," said the other gentleman, “I am afraid you are not well this morning." "I am much obliged to you, sir, I am well in bodily health, thank God, but I am in great trouble and disappointment of mind.

In

fact, sir, I am selling all up and leaving the place. I thought I had got into a privileged position, sir, amongst truly faithful souls; but that scoundrel of a fellow to whom I let the building of my house, and who seemed to be a pillar in our little chapel, has cheated me so abominably that I am fairly driven away, and am leaving the place in disgust."

It is painful to recite such things, but they have an instructive moral. We claim no infallibility for our own church, and where else shall we look for it? There will in every thing human be an admixture of good and evil the tares and the wheat will grow together. And under this conviction we have fully made up our minds that it is far better to be duly and thankfully appreciating our privileges, than dwelling upon our evils; far better to be aiming at the reform of abuses than the entire demolition of our ecclesiastical structure; far better to glorify God by the thankful acknowledgment of his boundless grace and omnipotent mercy whereby he overrules the most untoward events, and is pleased to produce a large amount of good-than in the murmuring, desponding spirit of the prophet, to exclaim, "I only am left!"

But we have spoken of Mr. Noel's secession as ill-timed. And for this plain reason, that perhaps there never was a period in which the Church of England presented such an amount of positive efficiency and usefulness, or when a more active and energetic spirit was manifested for the reform of her abuses. We are fully satisfied as to both these points. Whether we regard the movements of the clergy in their respective spheres, or the united efforts of the church for the discharge of her responsibilities as it regards missionary operations, when was the church in so promising and hopeful a condition? We are not blind to the fearful facts which Mr. Noel adduces. Many of them are not to be controverted.

The

greater part of the clergy of the Church of England may as yet be unconverted characters. Must we lose all consideration of the sovereignty of Him who has all hearts in his

hands, and who turneth them as seemeth best to his godly wisdom? And would it not be at all events safer to send up unceasing supplications to heaven for an enlarged outpouring of the Spirit upon the clergy, rather than to be imprecating fire, and living in the element of destruction, and crying overturn, overturn, overturn? We believe with the oldfashioned dissenters of former days, that the Established Church is a national blessing, as the grand bulwark against Popery and Infidelity, and as conservative also of the highest interests of dissenters themselves; and we believe that she will become an increasing blessing, by virtue of that reform of abuses which in common with Mr. Noel we believe to exist and to impede her usefulness. And when did more reasonable hope exist for the accomplishment of such reform? Surely the late appointment to the Primacy, and the universal feeling manifested in the House of Commons amongst all parties with reference to the removal of ecclesiastical abuses unite to make Mr. Noel's secession ill-timed, to say the least of it. And with our eyes honestly open to her past usefulness, and with all the present encouragement that we see to expect her increasing efficiency and purity, instead of exulting in the prospect that "she is doomed," and calling upon our brethren to hasten her demolition, we would rather say, "destroy her not, for a blessing is in her."

Never, perhaps, was there a period in which the bishops presented less of the evils which Mr. Noel so justly deplores. From the highest position of the Primacy, throughout the episcopacy, there is a rapidly increasing simplicity and indifference to that pride and pageantry in which the bishops have too often been insulated from their clergy. The curtailing of their incomes has had a beneficial effect not only in diminishing the means for the pride of life, but as indicating what the country expect and look for in the episcopal character. Every thing is tending to wholesome reform and improvement in our church; and for ourselves we must